FORMER Aston Villa and England striker Stan Collymore’s fund-raising drive to support Depression Alliance has raised almost &pound;20,000 in just three days.

The effort is to fund a new service that will link together people with depression across the country to stop the loneliness and isolation that people so often feel when the condition kicks in.

Anyone who donates could win prizes including tickets and hotel to the PFA awards in London, Soccer AM audience tickets, Arsenal club seats and worn football shirts from the likes of Seedorf, Neymar, Defoe and Evra.

Collymore, who has suffered from depression for years, said: “I decided to help with this worthwhile campaign because of my own dark experiences with depression.

“Depression is for me so complex, as the illness has so many facets, and varies from bout to bout.

“It can be hard to explain to a fellow sufferer, never mind someone fortunate enough to have never been afflicted.

“A key element of raising awareness and providing help for people suffering from depression is to provide a support network for sufferers.

“Sharing experiences and learning how to live with depression can be gleaned from such a forum. It is a vital tool for people like me who suffer with depression.”

Anyone who texts STAN to 70555 making a £5 donation will be entered into the prize draw. Other prizes include a spa weekend retreat and a gold disc from the Editors. The closing date is January 31, 2012.

Emer O’Neill, chief executive of Depression Alliance, said: “We are so grateful to Stan for spearheading our campaign and sharing his experiences so that others may be able to share theirs.

“As well as pushing towards our goal to raise £1 million for the new service, we are also urging people to plan ahead over Christmas as for so many people we know it can be a very difficult time.”